Off by heart

[Amanda]

What's the best way to go about memorising a piece of music? :confused:

My teacher can just sit down and play of a whole load of different tunes off the top of his head at any time which I find amazing as I think it's difficult enough when you've got it all written down in front of you!

I did learn a piece off by heart but can I remember it now? [NOOOO!] :rolleyes:

[Coypu]

I just sit down with a song and practice it and pretty soon I have memorized it just by playing it. It just takes abit of time and effort. Just take a peice of the song and play it over and over again and you will realise that after a while you do not have to think about whats written down anymore, you have it all in your head.

There are however methods to memorize chordchanges but that is not what you ask for ?

[Amanda]

Yes please - tell me how you memorise chord changes too :)

[Coypu]

The method I use (or should be using) is adapted for bass so I don't think that you would have any use for it since it is based on a linear approach of the bass. You played piano right? If you are a bassplayer I can write it down but it is abt tricky to write down so I'd rather not.

[fusion_lover]

i play bass,if u could please send me all stuff to improve my way to play memorize etc to this e-mail globblog@globo.com
i will be very pleased if u do this
Fábio

[Coypu]

If you are interested in learning fingerboard harmony, handpositions, key centers and such it's all in the book Fingerboard harmony for bass by Gary Willis. Get that book, it is very good and pretty cheap too. I would feel bad if I ripped to much from the book and spread to people, Gary deservs some extra cash.

[fusion_lover]

k i´ll do it.thanks for the tip anyway!

[clifton]

Hello Amanda. As a former, now disabled, musician, I'd say there is no substitute for practice. I would memorize a tune, and its changes by lots of practice. Something else you could do is walk a bass line over a tune's changes to help you with learning the changes and learning some voice leading as well. Learning a tune takes time and there aren't any shortcuts. BTW I found the Jamey Aebersold records helpful also. Stay with it and keep going for it.

[Ed Byrne]

Hi Amanda,

I reduce the melody by removing nonharmonic tones and repeated notes; put everything on the beat, and sing/play it repeatedly.

Ascertain the guide tone line, the essence of the harmony in liniear form; then

learn the root progression (another essential line of the composition).

Do the same with the composition's rhythms.

All of these elements can then be systematically developed, especially with chromatic targeting groups and rhythmic permutation.

For more information about all of this, see my web site:

http//www.byrnejazz.com

It introduces my improvisation method, Linear Improvisation.

Contact me if you have any other questions.

Best of luck.

[Jakeweiser]

considering the original poster hasn't logged on since 2003 I doubt you'll get a reply. However, excellent advice all the same!